Ecc. 3:1-15 - The Providence of God
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Intro:
Intro:
Now we come to one of two sections of Ecclesiastes frequently quoted at funerals (the other being chapter 7 verses 2-4).
Of course this is also the section famous for being sung by “the Byrds.”
“To everything — turn, turn, turn — there is a season — turn, turn, turn — and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
This is a really good section — It is honestly kind of a prelude to chapter 12 and “fear God and keep His commandments.”
(Read verses 1-15).
Text:
Text:
V. 1 - This is Solomon’s introduction to the rest of what he is going to say.
There is a time for everything in life.
Various phases of life.
We often think of this in terms of stages or milestones:
Birth -> School -> Graduation -> Marriage -> Babies -> Babies Grow Up -> Babies Get Married -> Grandbabies -> Retirement -> (If by reason of strength we live long enough, we might see Grandbabies get Married and see Great-Grandbabies) -> Eventually, the end comes
That’s called LIFE.
And what (or really WHO, I should say) is to be the central focus in all of it?
GOD is!
V. 2 - We just mentioned the first one Solomon mentions:
“A time to be born, and a time to die.”
I do plan on trying to bring a sermon on death sometime in the fairly near future.
Just a preview:
Why death? (Because of sin)
What is death? (Solomon answers that for us - Read Ecc. 12:7)
What happens AFTER death? (Two options - paradise, or torment — Luke 16 [rich man and Lazarus] — eventually leading to Judgment Day)
“A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.”
This has to do with the law of sowing and reaping — collecting the benefits of hard work planting crops and reaping the benefits in harvest time.
The Bible says several times that “you shall not muzzle the ox that treads the corn.”
That applies to both animals and man — If one works for his food, you let him eat the benefits of his work.
(And the Bible also says if a man refuses to work, neither should he eat).
Incidentally, does Solomon repudiate the idea of work in this book?
No, he repudiates making a god out of work!
V. 3 -
“A time to kill, and a time to heal.”
I think this definitely has implication for warfare — Is warfare every condemned in Scripture? (Not that I’m aware of — I know some people take some of Jesus’ statements as a call for pacifism — I don’t agree with that).
But also, there’s a time to heal too — In warfare, the “rules of war” designate that medics should take care of BOTH sides, do they not?
“A time to break down, and a time to build up.”
This reminds me of Jeremiah 1:10
See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”
Sometimes you have to tear things out and start over (think of remodeling and “demolition day”) — Sometimes there might be some “spiritual remodeling” needed.
V. 4 -
“A time to weep, and a time to laugh.”
Rom. 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Prov. 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
V. 5 -
“A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones.”
Sometimes you need to cast stones away out of your field so you can plow it and plant it.
Other times you need to gather up stones and build something with them.
“A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.”
That’s where our young people need to pay attention, right?
No PDA (public displays of affection) — :)
Side-hugs are good, right? :)
We’re talking about avoiding the lascivious embrace (or even the appearance of a lascivious embrace — questionable)
Prov. 5:20
For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, And be embraced in the arms of a seductress?
V. 6 -
“A time to gain, and a time to lose.”
I think this has to do with …
Psalm 15:4-5
In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
That’s talking about who will dwell in God’s holy hill, and someone who takes advantage of people to make a quick buck won’t be there!
“A time to keep, and a time to throw away.”
So any an all hoarders out there need to listen up!
(I know, I know — I can be pretty sentimental about certain things as well! But at some point, you have to realize that everything eventually is going to be burned up one day).
V. 7 -
“A time to tear, and a time to sew.”
This has to do with rending/tearing one’s garments in mourning or sorrow of one’s sin, and then sewing them back up when things have been made right again.
Joel 2:12-13
“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.
“A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”
Prov. 26:4-5
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Prov. 18:13
He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
James 1:19-20
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
V. 8 -
“A time to love, and a time to hate.”
Obviously the Bible speaks of many things that we are supposed to love, because God is love, and we are supposed to love what He loves — and we are to love Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as our self.
But God also HATES some things — Prov. 6:16-19
“A time of war, and a time of peace.”
What is “just war theory?”
Some wars are just and necessary (think about defending the defenseless - like in WW2).
Others, not so much — Think, just taking people’s stuff.
VS. 9-10 — Is there truly no profit at all in man’s labors “under the sun?”
Well, there is some profit.
And Solomon is about to get into it.
But it’s all TEMPORARY.
V. 11 - Everything is beautiful in its own time.
There is a time and a purpose for everything that God has given man to do in this life.
But the things pertaining to THIS life are just in THIS life.
Next, comes ETERNITY, and now Solomon goes into an explanation of eternity.
And God has put eternity in our hearts — Deep down, we know that something comes next after this life is over!
But “no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”
Deut. 29:29 - The secret things belong to the Lord our God …
V. 12 - This is kind of a prelude to Ecc. 12:13 is it not?
“Fear God and keep His commandments.”
Here Solomon talks about enjoying life that God has given us and also doing GOOD in our lives.
V. 13 - This reminds me of James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
God wants us to enjoy life!
But we can’t make a god out of personal enjoyment.
V. 14 - Just reflecting on the magnificence of God (and His eternal nature) should lead us to fear Him!
[Talk about eternal nature of God if enough time. — “I am” — thinking in terms of a line]
V. 15 - In other words, Ecc. 12:14!
For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
What are the key words in this first section of chapter 3?
TIME — a time for everything
PURPOSE - a purpose intended for everything
ETERNITY — what comes AFTER time, for which we must prepare!
Are we preparing for it like we should?